Transcriber's Notes:
Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained asin the original.
A few typographical errors have been corrected. They areshown in the text with mouse-hover popups. Position your mouse overthe word to see the correction.
A complete list of changes follows thetext.
THE UNVEILINGOF LHASABY
Author of 'A Vagabond in Asia'
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAP
LONDON
EDWARD ARNOLD
Publisher to H.M. India Office
41 & 43 MADDOX STREET, BOND STREET, W.
1905
[All rights reserved]
THESE PAGES,
WRITTEN MOSTLY IN THE DRY COLD WIND OF TIBET,
OFTEN WHEN INK WAS FROZEN AND ONE'S HAND TOO NUMBED
TO FEEL A PEN, ARE DEDICATED TO
COLONEL HOGGE, C.B.,
AND
THE OFFICERS OF THE 23rd SIKH PIONEERS,
WHOSE GENIAL SOCIETY IS ONE OF THE MOST PLEASANT
MEMORIES OF A RIGOROUS CAMPAIGN.
PREFACE
The recent expedition to Lhasa was full of interest,not only on account of the political issues involvedand the physical difficulties overcome, but owingto the many dramatic incidents which attended theMission's progress. It was my good fortune towitness nearly all these stirring events, and I havewritten the following narrative of what I saw inthe hope that a continuous story of the affair mayinterest readers who have hitherto been able toform an idea of it only from the telegrams in thedaily Press. The greater part of the book waswritten on the spot, while the impressions of eventsand scenery were still fresh. Owing to wounds Iwas not present at the bombardment and relief ofGyantse, but this phase of the operations is dealtwith by Mr. Henry Newman, Reuter's correspondent,who was an eye-witness. I am especiallyindebted to him for his account, which was writtenin Lhasa, and occupied many mornings that mighthave been devoted to well-earned rest.
My thanks are also due to the Proprietors of theDaily Mail for permission to use material of which[Pg viii]they hold the copyright; and I am indebted to theEditors of the Graphic and Black and White forallowing me to reproduce certain photographs byLieutenant Bailey.
The illustrations are from sketches by LieutenantRybot, and photographs by Lieutenants Bailey,Bethell, and Lewis, to whom I owe my cordialthanks.
EDMUND CANDLER.
London,
January, 1905.